TBO of inner tubes

[jetdriven]

When  we first bought our plane we changed the nose tire. We reused the tube. It went flat on the next or the second flight. It had a small hole on the side of it, all we could think of is it had a wrinkle which finally shaved through after five or six landings. We took it out and folded it up in a box and set it on the shelf. Later we changed out the main tires and put on desser tubes and put those tubes that came out of the tires in boxes. Within a year, the original nose tube was disintegrating, it turned into powder while the tubes next to it was still supple and  probably reusable. Interesting thing with the desser tubes was that one failed before we could  get it off the jacks it was flat the next morning and taking it apart they were bubbles coming out from where around the mold seams were the stem was molded.  The other one lasted about a year and it went flat while I was taxiing from the fuel pump in Kerrville back to the hanger on a day trip. That one cost me 500 bucks and since then it’s new tires and new airstop tubes and I haven’t had one go bad yet.  

[A64Pilot]

Plant I worked at we installed average of three Desser tubes and AirHawk tires a month for about 15 years, with no failures that I can remember.

We ordered tires and tubes for about 6 months at a time. A few tires and tubes for the tailwheel of the big airplane 6.00 x 6 we had were several years old as way too many had been ordered, but they were fine. Airplane didn’t sell well.

I have 2 sets of tires and tubes that are on the shelf myself that are each at least 20 years old I’d guess, but are in great shape. One set I took off my 140 when I bought it 15 or so years ago, 8.00x6, the other two are actually those 6.00x6 tailwheel tires.

Maybe different but I have a 1923 Ford Model T who’s tires and tubes were replaced we think early 60’s, maybe before then but certainly not after as the car has been stored since mid 60’s, and they appear fine with no dry rotting, but we will see when I start driving it, cause that just seems too long, they may fail.

Age wise it’s all in how they are stored, no ozone for example, and I believe no sunlight too.

[kortopates]

Just changed a nose wheel tire and tube after 7 years in service. Goodyear Custom III with Dresser Butyl - only changed out the tire because of sidewall cracking. Tube was pristine but never a problem with it or on the mains - which last me about 5 years. Never had a problem with one of their tubes yet with over 20 years using them. But I have never stored them on the shelf.

Edited July 7, 2022 by kortopates

[A64Pilot]

The Goodyear Custom III’s are the longest lasting tires I’ve ever run, but considering the price they should be.

[PT20J]

According to Goodyear, tires and tubes do not have a life limit and are replaced on condition.

The purpose of the talc is to lubricate during assembly. Tube type tires have vents and any air trapped between the tube and tire will slowly leak out which is why you need to check tire pressure a day or so after installation. When fully inflated, the tube and tire move as one.

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aviation-tire-care-2020.pdf

[Shadrach]

16 minutes ago, PT20J said:

According to Goodyear, tires and tubes do not have a life limit and are replaced on condition.

The purpose of the talc is to lubricate during assembly. Tube type tires have vents and any air trapped between the tube and tire will slowly leak out which is why you need to check tire pressure a day or so after installation. When fully inflated, the tube and tire move as one.

Skip

aviation-tire-care-2020.pdf 2.15 MB · 0 downloads

That makes sense. I have a new Michelin airstop for the nose gear in my hat rack with a MFG date of 2014. It’s perfectly supple with no signs of deterioration. I bagged it as a result of this thread. Other tubes on the shelf didn’t hold up nearly as well but admittedly we’re used. 

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, PT20J said:

According to Goodyear, tires and tubes do not have a life limit and are replaced on condition.

Thanks for the document.  Also says:

"It is recommended that tubes not be reused; they can grow as much as 25% in service. Reusing them can result in
folded, pinched tubes which can fail or create an imbalance."

[EricJ]

I just changed one of my main gear tires and tubes.   The tube that I removed was a Michelin Airstop that was still holding air with no leaks.   I'll just use it as an emergency spare and put it in the hatch.

I also cobbled together a balancer using a cheapie motorcycle tire balancer, some ebay cones, and a piece of steel rod stock from Home Despot.   The previous tire wasn't balanced and didn't shake.   I balanced this one and it doesn't shake, either. 

[Yetti]

Tube stems are a wear point.   underinflating a tire will allow the tube to rotate and cut the stem.  How much and how often will dictate the wear.

 

I have had cheepy dresser tubes for 6 years, but keep them properly inflated.

Edited July 8, 2022 by Yetti

[StevenL757]

On 7/6/2022 at 9:09 AM, ArtVandelay said:

I will be replacing a tire in upcoming annual.

I have Michelon tubes installed 7 years ago.

Should the inner tube be replaced as well?

 

In a word...Yes

Rubber wears quickly and is inexpensive to replace.  I don't see why anyone who invests what we do in the airplanes we own would reinstall a used tube into a new tire...whether it "appears" to be worn or not.  The logic just doesn't make sense.

[jetdriven]

You save 125$ and strand the plane later.   A buddy of mine had this happen and after they pulled the plane off the runway and fixed it the bill was $2,000.  

[ArtVandelay]

In a word...Yes
Rubber wears quickly and is inexpensive to replace.  I don't see why anyone who invests what we do in the airplanes we own would reinstall a used tube into a new tire...whether it "appears" to be worn or not.  The logic just doesn't make sense.

As I said, it’s about infant mortality vs tried and tested.

I will be replacing it.

[Hank]

1 hour ago, ArtVandelay said:

As I said, it’s about infant mortality vs tried and tested.

Inner tubes don't have much infant mortality. But the manufacturers recommend NOT reusing tubes in different tires, because the tube stretches during use and may not lay flat in the new(er) tire, leading to abrasion and holes.

[Guest]

I’d bet that the number of gear up landings exceeds the number of flat tires.

Clarence

[Fly Boomer]

1 minute ago, M20Doc said:

I’d bet that the number of gear up landings exceeds the number of flat tires.

No bet.

[Will.iam]

On 7/6/2022 at 5:25 PM, M20Doc said:

Well, that would explain the leaks my children had in their diapers.

Clarence

Wow you go 8 years before changing your kids diapers and your complaining about leaks? I would be ecstatic if i could go at least a week before changing my kids diapers.  

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, Will.iam said:

Wow you go 8 years before changing your kids diapers and your complaining about leaks? I would be ecstatic if i could go at least a week before changing my kids diapers.  

Just remember that someday they’ll be changing yours . . .  At the same frequency as you changed theirs’.

[MikeOH]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

Just remember that someday they’ll be changing yours . . .  At the same frequency as you changed theirs’.

SHEESH!

THAT has to be the Debbie Downer post of the year, right there!!

[EricJ]

I remember when Bob Dole was running for President and he got the usual, "Boxers or briefs?" question of the time.   He answered, "Depends."

He definitely had a clever sense of humor.

 

[Z W]

On my last flight, doing a post-annual shake-down, I landed as normal, taxied off the runway, was headed back on the taxiway for another takeoff.  Nose wheel just went flat, plane stopped dead.  Got a compressor, but the tire wouldn't hold air long enough to taxi it anywhere.

Got some help from our A&P who luckily was working on Saturday.  Jacked the plane up, put the nose wheel on a dolly, towed it to the shop.  The tube had two small holes on the inside, where it was against the rim.  We were both scratching our heads about that.  No idea how it happened.

We've changed both main tires and tubes out over the years but never the nose.  No idea how long it's been in there.  Tire looks fine, almost new.

I'm considering picking up a spare tube to carry around.  Probably not a bad idea.  Lucky I was at home when it happened and the A&P had a replacement sitting on his shelf.

[flyboy0681]

Perhaps a stupid question, but why aren't small GA aircraft using tubeless tires? Tubes seem so early 20th century.

[kortopates]

1 hour ago, flyboy0681 said:

Perhaps a stupid question, but why aren't small GA aircraft using tubeless tires? Tubes seem so early 20th century.

Well for one, our wheels are made in two halves bolted together; assuring a very leaky assembly but enable relatively easy changing of tires. Car tires of course use a solid wheel construction and much more difficult to change a tire.

[flyboy0681]

5 minutes ago, kortopates said:

Well for one, our wheels are made in two halves bolted together; assuring a very leaky assembly but enable relatively easy changing of tires. Car tires of course use a solid wheel construction and much more difficult to change a tire.

So solid, single unit assemblies couldn't have been engineered since, say, 1970?

[EricJ]

2 minutes ago, flyboy0681 said:

So solid, single unit assemblies couldn't have been engineered since, say, 1970?

Sure, but then when you have a flat you need to find somebody with a tire machine rather than just a jack and a wrench set.

Be glad we have those split rims.  It also simplifies the brake design a bit.

[flyboy0681]

2 minutes ago, EricJ said:

Sure, but then when you have a flat you need to find somebody with a tire machine rather than just a jack and a wrench set.

Be glad we have those split rims.  It also simplifies the brake design a bit.

Good points. Was just curious.